EAGLES: Herremans injury appears to be serious

Philadelphia Eagles' Colt Anderson, left, does push-ups on the sidelines as Kurt Coleman and Curtis Marsh wait to run a drills during NFL football practice at the team's indoor practice complex, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

PHILADELPHIA — Todd Herremans sustained such unusual damage to his right foot that Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder was kind of reaching out to the media to ascertain if they knew about it.

For now Burkholder is calling it a “rare” injury.

Herremans has a dislocated cuboid bone, the longest toe on his right foot. He also has ligament damage and a slight tendon strain in the foot. Additionally there are tiny bone cracks that for now are back in place.

To replace Herremans, King Dunlap has moved from left to right tackle.

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Demetress Bell, who played right tackle for the first time after Herremans got hurt, goes back to left tackle where this Sunday he takes on DeMarcus Ware, who ranks among the NFL leaders with 9 sacks.

“It’s a great challenge,” Bell said. “I’m really looking forward to it. He’s probably the best pass rusher in the league. He can run stop and he can pass rush. Any moment you can get beat on the run or the pass. As an offensive lineman you’ve got to have balance to stop him. Quickness, strength, agility … he’s got it all. He can do everything.”

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The swell injury news for the Eagles is safety Nate Allen (hamstring) practiced fully Wednesday and barring a setback, will be ready to go Sunday.

“I was close to pulling the trigger and going Monday night,” said Allen, who warmed up for the Saints game. “But it was grabbing a little bit.”

Allen said he made the decision to sit out, rather than risk aggravating the strained hammy and missing a month, or more.

Running back LeSean McCoy was excused from work due to an illness. The other Eagles who didn’t practice were wide receiver Mardy Gilyard (hamstring), ruled out again this week, running back Chris Polk (toe), safety David Sims (foot) and guard Danny Watkins (ankle).

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Darryl Tapp’s wife gave birth to a daughter the couple named Taylor Nicole Tapp early Tuesday afternoon.

Daddy already is having fun with the newborn’s initials.

“TNT … Kid dynamite,” Tapp said.

Eagles head coach Andy Reid encouraged Tapp, the defensive end said, to stay home and enjoy the birth of their first child.

“It’s a great feeling,” Tapp said. “I went and talked to Coach Reid and he definitely sent me away and said you’ve got to take care of this. It’s your first one. And I was happy but I missed being out there with the guys.”

Tapp tried to watch the game – between contractions.

Tapp’s line mates stepped up sending the new mother flowers, chocolate and other amenities.

NOTES

After elevating Julian Vandervelde to the 53-man roster the Eagles signed DT Frank Trotter to the practice squad he was cut from earlier in the day … Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff (sprained ankle) didn’t practice Wednesday. “Hopefully he’ll be coming back in tomorrow and be close to ready to practice and ready to play in the game,” Garrett said. Ratlif almost always has big games against the Eagles … Center Phil Costa (ankle), safety matt Johnson (hamstring), defensive tackle Sean Lisemore (ankle) and running back DeMarco Murray (foot) also were held out of practice … The Eagles have beaten the Cowboys in two straight games, having swept them last season, and have triumphed in three of the last four meetings.